SAGINAW, MI — On June 23, John Stark stepped up to a podium inside Saginaw City Hall to criticize City Council for rejecting a proposed ordinance aimed at banning discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trandgender individuals in the city.

Stark read a prepared statement, written in the form of an official government proclamation, that referred to City Council as "mean-spirited" and "narrow minded" and claimed there was a "failure of leadership" and "cowardice" displayed in its actions.

Mayor Dennis Browning responded to Stark's statements with displeasure during that June meeting. Though Browning said he still doesn't agree with Stark, he did apologize publicly on Monday, July 7, for the way he initially reacted.

The mayor said he was guilty of violating City Council's own rule against "personal, abusive attacks" during the public comment section of its meetings.

"I certainly want to apologize to Mr. Stark," he said. "I don't agree with his proclamation at all, but the way I responded was unprofessional."

Stark also spoke during City Council's July 7 meeting. He drew a comparison to his father harshly reprimanding him at times, saying was often upset about those reprimands but later forgave and often even grew to appreciate the reason behind his father's actions.

"I encourage this Council to take up, contend with and pass the LGBT human rights ordinance, free of any exemptions," Stark said. "We're all brothers and sisters together. Let's get on with it."

Councilwoman Annie Boensch, who championed the ordinance, said she is not dropping the issue. Boensch did say it might take some time before LGBT protections appear back on a Saginaw City Council agenda.